What Is This?

I think this was 2 years ago, but Mike Martin has been Michigan's most dominant player the last 3 weeks.

Michigan has now played 10 games this season. (though the NCAA is only counting 9 statistically because of the Western rainout)

I know Illinois has been struggling offensively, but after completely and utterly shutting down an opposing team's offense, we Michigan fans can't believe our eyes.  It was only last season that Michigan had it's Worst Defense Ever.  That's not exaggeration but the truth of the actual numbers.

The gory details; 2010 Defensive Stats:
(rank in parenthesis) 

Scoring D: 35.2 (108th)
Total yards: 451 (110th)

Compare that with 2011 through 10 games (9 games counted for Michigan):

Scoring D: 15.5 (5th)
Total yards: 322 (17th)

That is downright silly improvement.  I'm sure some stat junkie will do a comparison at the end of the year of how Michigan's statistical improvement on defense ranks against all-time best 1 season improvements.

It's nice to see a Michigan defense again.  The offense is still a work in progress with Denard still seeming so uncomfortable in Borges' hybrid O but heading into this season I never imagined the defense could carry Michigan to a victory and they did just that.

Even more impressive still for this defense is how it's mostly all the same players.  There are a few true freshman playing very well (Blake Countess, Desmond Morgan are starting) but usually true freshman in the lineup are a reason for concern.  With mostly the same players returning from last year, players that Spielman ridiculed on air last year for not being Michigan caliber, saying that Michigan cannot compete until they recruit some talent, those same players now make up one of the best defenses in the entire country.  Contrast that with the defense last year that allowed a Matt McGloin led Penn State to shred them on touchdown drives on every single possession.  I would even argue the statistics may not have shown truly how bad Michigan was at defense last year.  By midseason last year, while watching the games, if the offense failed to score on one single possession it felt as the though the game was lost. (and it usually was)  Now the offense can sputter up and down the field and the defense is going to give us a chance to win any and every game.

I'm not sure if this says more about Hoke and Mattison or Greg Robinson and RR....but at this point I'm simply relieved to be getting back to Michigan defense.

It wasn't the most beautiful 31-14 victory.  In fact, it probably should have been a much bigger margin if Michigan could capitalize in the red zone.  However, this is what it takes to win college football games on the road in November in the B1G.  It's difficult for offenses to execute perfectly all the time and a stout defense can take control and win a game on it's own.

Moving on to next week, if only Michigan and Nebraska would have taken care of their respective business last week against Iowa and Northwestern, this game may have been the game of the week.  As is, it appears this game will be played for a chance at an at large BCS bid but not a shot at the B1G championship game.  (Though a Nebraska victory would leave them rooting hard for NW in the season's final week)  The winner of this game will have a good chance of a 10-2 finish and a top 12 or so ranking.

Speaking of that championship game...it appears likely that it will be MSU in a rematch with Wisconsin.  Ohio State has no shot and I just don't see Penn State winning on the road in Madison.  If Michigan wins this weekend and MSU takes care of business against lowly Indiana in East Lansing, the Spartans are in. 

I'd be pretty happy with that result.  I think that's an entertaining game to watch in the Championship Game and I'd be happy to keep Penn State and Ohio State out.  I don't want their baggage being the story surrounding the game.  I know none of the current players had anything to do with the Penn State scandal, but I'm confident in saying all the coaches new had knowledge of the situation for a long time.  I'm rooting for the Nittany Lions to lose their remaining games. 

I think Wisconsin would be a solid favorite in the game but as MSU has already proven, they can beat the Badgers.  Tbone will probably get mad at me for jumping the gun a bit here but I think it's OK to make a projection as this matchup is now easily the most likely.

Oh, also, The Game is looking more and more winnable after the Buckeyes performances the last couple of weeks.  It won't be an easy victory, but Michigan has it's best shot at winning since 2006.  That's a horrible streak and if it ends this year, Hoke is going to ride a giant wave of momentum into the off-season.